THE MAN WHO REMEMBERED
522 Words
The silence in Adrian Knight’s office stretched for several seconds.
Elena shifted uncomfortably beneath his unwavering gaze.
“Why is he staring at me like that?” she wondered.
She cleared her throat.
“Good morning, Mr. Knight.”
Adrian blinked, pulling himself back to reality.
“Sit.”
His voice was calm, almost emotionless.
Elena obeyed.
She placed her notebook on her lap, trying to ignore how intimidating his office felt.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the bustling city.
A bookshelf lined one wall.
Everything was neat.
Perfect.
Just like the man sitting opposite her.
Adrian folded his hands.
“So…”
“You graduated with first-class honours.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ve worked two internships.”
“Yes.”
“And you turned down another company’s offer to work here.”
She smiled.
“This has always been my dream company.”
For the first time…
A faint smile almost appeared on Adrian’s face.
Almost.
“You may call me Mr. Knight during office hours.”
“Yes, sir.”
“There are three rules.”
Elena straightened in her chair.
“One.”
“Punctuality.”
“I don’t tolerate lateness.”
She nodded quickly.
“I understand.”
“Two.”
“Never lie to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And three…”
He paused.
“Never mix work with emotions.”
Elena frowned slightly.
“I’m sorry?”
“This office is for business.”
“Nothing else.”
She nodded again.
“I understand.”
Although… that’s a strange rule.
Adrian picked up a file from his desk.
“This is your schedule.”
She stood to collect it.
As their fingers brushed—
A strange feeling rushed through Adrian.
For a brief second, he was back at that rainy bus stop.
A girl holding an umbrella.
A warm smile.
“Whatever you’re going through… I hope one day it gets easier.”
He tightened his grip on the file.
Elena noticed.
“Sir?”
He let go immediately.
“You can leave.”
She smiled politely.
“Thank you, Mr. Knight.”
The office door closed behind her.
Adrian remained motionless.
Seven years.
He had searched universities.
Hospitals.
Social media.
Everywhere.
And now…
The woman he’d spent years looking for had walked into his office without recognising him.
He looked at the old leather wallet inside his desk drawer.
Hidden inside it…
A faded bus ticket.
The only thing she’d accidentally left behind that rainy evening.
He had carried it for seven years.
He whispered to himself,
“I finally found you…”
⸻
Outside the office…
Elena released a long breath.
“That man is impossible.”
A cheerful voice interrupted her.
“Survived your first meeting?”
She turned to see another assistant smiling.
“Barely.”
The woman laughed.
“Don’t worry.”
“He scares everyone.”
Elena smiled.
“I can see that.”
Neither of them noticed…
Behind the office’s tinted glass walls…
Adrian was still watching Elena walk away.
And for the first time in years…
His guarded heart felt something it had almost forgotten.
Hope.
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